Local News

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office captured a murder suspect during a traffic stop on Highway 62 near Vilas Road in Medford late last week. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies and detectives arrested 60-year-old William Irvin Hastings on Friday morning. Detectives said Hastings was arrested in connection to a suspicious death turned into a murder investigation that occurred in Phoenix earlier last week. The victim was identified as 60-year-old Julie Renee Hastings of Phoenix. William Hastings was lodged at the Jackson County Jail for suspicion of 2nd-Degree Murder and 1st-Degree Abuse of a Corpse. He was being held without bail. The investigation began after patrol deputies responded to a welfare check last Wednesday night at a residence in the 4,000-block of South Pacific Highway. Deputies found forced entry into the residence, with the victim deceased and suspicious circumstances at the scene. Detectives and medical examiners responded and took over the investigation. The Oregon State Police Crime Lab, Jackson County District Attorney's Office, Medford Police Department, Phoenix Police Department and OSP detectives responded to assist with the investigation. Investigators said the case remains active with detectives following additional leads.

 

A motorcycle and an electric dirt bike collided in the Central Point area late last week, killing the juvenile dirt bike rider. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office reports dispatchers received a 9-1-1 call on Thursday shortly before 9 p.m. for a crash that occurred near the intersection of Ross Lane and Old Stage Road in rural Central Point. Sheriff's deputies, the Oregon State Police and Jacksonville Police Department responded along with a Mercy Flights ambulance. Deputies said they will not be releasing decedent information due to the rider's age and out of respect for the family's privacy in this difficult time. The Jackson County Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction (STAR) Team responded to investigate the fatal incident. The unidentified motorcycle rider is cooperating with the investigation and no criminal charges have been filed. The STAR Team consists of investigators from the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, Medford Police Department, Central Point Police Department and Jackson County District Attorney's Office.

 

Josephine County emergency agencies responded to a fatal crash on Redwood Highway in extreme northern California at the beginning of the weekend. On Friday shortly after 7 p.m., the Illinois Valley Fire District and American Medical Response were dispatched to the two-vehicle collision on US Highway 199 around 8.5 miles south of the Collier Tunnel. Gasquet Fire also responded. IVFD officials confirmed there was one fatality and one person was transported to an area hospital from the crash scene. No other information was available. The fatal crash was being investigated by California Highway Patrol (CHP).

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for breaking windows at the Options for Southern Oregon facility in the south part of the city. The Police Department reports officers arrested 26-year-old Nick Dustin Farmer on Saturday for the Friday morning incident in the 200-block of Fruitdale Drive. Police said Farmer was captured on video surveillance intentionally smashing three windows at the Options complex. They said the video showed him picking up rocks from surrounding landscaping and using them to break the windows. Total damage estimate from the glass repair company was more than $1,000. Farmer was located on Saturday afternoon behind Donut Land in the same general area of the crime. He was placed into custody after he admitted to breaking the windows. He did not provide a reason for doing so. Farmer was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 1st-Degree Criminal Mischief and he was being held without bail.

 

Rogue Valley Strike Team 1 was dispatched to assist with a fast-moving weekend vegetation fire near downtown Phoenix. The Medford Fire Department reports crews first responded to the vegetation fire in the area of Houston and Rose streets in Phoenix on Saturday at 6:15 p.m.. The fire was burning in tall grass with moderate spread and the potential to impact as many as 100 structures. By 6:15 p.m., crews had stopped forward progress of the fire and air support was canceled. More than 20 apparatuses remained in the area to reinforce containment and to monitor for flare-ups. The blaze was declared fully contained by 7:35 p.m.. In a final update on Sunday morning, authorities reported the fire was contained at 35.3 acres and Level 1 "Be Ready" evacuations in three zones had been lifted. The Oregon Department of Forestry had completed a bulldozer line around the fire perimeter to further secure the area. One crew remained on scene to ensure no flare-ups. Rogue Valley Strike Team 1 is made up of resources from Grants Pass Fire & Rescue, Rural Metro Fire Department, Illinois Valley Fire District, Jackson County Fire District #1 and the Applegate Valley Fire District. Officials remind residents that fire danger in southwest Oregon has increased to "moderate." Please use extra caution with any outdoor activities.

 

The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest has increased restrictions to Industrial Fire Precaution Level 1 on all five of its ranger districts. The fire danger rating across the local forest is currently "low," although the Oregon Department of Forestry has increased the local fire danger level on lands it protects in Josephine and Jackson counties to "moderate." Under IFPL 1, fire precaution requirements go into effect for commercial and industrial operations on the forest. A fire watch is required at this and all higher levels unless otherwise waived. Restricted operations include timber harvests and commercial firewood cutting. Fire management officials are urging caution for all those participating in outdoor activities this season. The right conditions can mean that just one small spark from an unattended campfire, operating equipment or the catalytic converter from a vehicle is all that is needed for igniting fine fuels like grasses and dry plants. If you're planning to recreate or utilize equipment on public lands this summer, please keep current regarding fire safety notifications and regulations in southwest Oregon. Remember to avoid parking over dead grass and vegetation, do not allow tow chains to drag on pavement, make sure campfires in designated campgrounds are dead out prior to departure and fireworks are prohibited on public lands.

 

The National Weather Service has posted a Heat Advisory for southwest Oregon and northwest California -- including Josephine and Jackson counties -- that runs until 8 o'clock this evening. High temperatures of 95 to 102 degrees are expected throughout the region. Slight relief will occur on Tuesday, with high temperatures predicted to be below 100. Public health officials encourage people to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency -- call 9-1-1. Area rivers remain cold and dangerous due to ongoing mountain snowmelt. Be careful if seeking relief from hot temperatures in area waterways.

 

The City of Grants Pass is accepting applications for two positions on the new Non-Bargaining Compensation and Classification Task Force. Appointments are for the duration of the task force. The purpose of the task force is to review and evaluate non-union compensation and classification restructuring for certain City of Grants Pass employees. The Task Force shall review the proposed salary study and recommended structure in detail, identify potential modifications or alternatives, and develop and present formal recommendations to the City Council for consideration. Special qualifications for these at-large positions is experience in large payrolls. Applications are available at the City Administration Office at 101 NW A Street or online at "grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application." Completed applications must be received by 5 p.m. this Friday, June 13th. The appointments will be made by the Grants Pass City Council at its next regular meeting on Wednesday, June 18th.

 

The Grants Pass & Josephine County Chamber of Commerce will host the first Concert in the Park of the 2025 season on Tuesday evening. Concerts in the Park has returned to Riverside Park in a temporary location on the Pavilion Lawn until the new Bandshell is completed. It runs from 6:30-8:30 p.m.. Tuesday's featured entertainer is "A Band of Brothers," which specializes in classic rock favorites. Chamber of Commerce officials have requested concert-goers adhere to a "Code of Conduct." They are welcome to bring their own lawn chairs, blankets and picnic-style dinners, but they are encouraged to leave pets at home. If pets are brought to the concert, they must be on a leash that is no longer than 6 feet. Children under age 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Seating and parking are on a first-come, first-served basis. A drop-off lane is available near the lower Gazebo. For more information, please visit "grantspasschamber.org."